Q Marsden wasn’t releasing a new project—unless his fans made it clear that they were expecting one. What started as a series of SoundCloud and YouTube releases has become 10 Songs, a mixtape that strikes the right balance between spontaneity and unimpeachable talent. Out on Boy Meets Euphoria/Columbia Records, the drop includes fan favorites like “Be With Ya” and “Pretty Woman,” plus three brand-new ones to throw a little extra freshness into the pot.

The mixtape is relaxed but never sloppy. Q’s signature blend of alternative R&B, lo-fi sound, and soul-scented melodies is in top form. His ability to create immersive, personal soundscapes is on display on “Be Brave,” a devastating piano ballad that encourages self-acceptance and emotional resilience. The black-and-white visualizer on the track—Q astride the hood of a moving car, his face in thought—is only further enhancing of its introspective nature.

While technically a mixtape, 10 Songs feels like a meticulously crafted album. The production is seamless, and every song keeps the dreamy, hazy vibe that has become Q’s calling card. His sound is rich without being pretentious, employing warm synths, multi-tracked vocals, and silky rhythms to create an almost trance-like experience.

This is Q’s first album since his 2023 EP, Hello, Everyday Changes, and it’s without the slow rollout of a traditional album. But that’s precisely why it’s so great—10 Songs is an artist in the process, making music because they love to do it. What does happen? The result is at once intensely personal and universally engaging.

Q may not have necessarily wanted to create this mixtape, but 10 Songs was clearly meant to be heard.